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The Beatles: 1962-1966

Hey, did you know The Beatles were awesome? Yeah, they were. You should listen to them.

Seriously, though, this double album, originally released in 1973, is probably the best example of how awesome they were. Because it covers the first half of their career, which, while well regarded, still kind of takes a back seat to the Dr. Pepper album and what came after. But holy balls, when you take their best stuff from that period of six albums and many more non-album singles and B-sides, you’re blonw away at just how awesome the worse half of their career was.

And not only that, this collection does it without “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Twist And Shout”. Those omissions are inexplicable and basically unforgivable if the intent was to introduce a new generation of fans to The Beatles, especially considering that clunkers like “And I Love Her” and “Michelle,” not to mention the makes-me-want-to-hit-people “Girl,” possibly the only song of The Beatles that I hate, made the cut.

This album’s companion, 1976-1970, is better, more solid, and got a five [clown] rating, but you want this one more because it’s got a ton of great non-album tracks like “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “We Can Work It Out,” and “Day Tripper.” The fact that those last two shared both sides of a single and neither made an album is mind-boggling given how freakballs amazing they are. The Beatles definitely swung and missed a few times, but they still would pack a 45 with two brilliant songs.

Who writes this many awesome songs? Nobody. Nobody except The Beatles.

Yellow Submarine – from Revolver – I still haven’t made peace with the musical inanity of the chorus, but the rest is hella good and creative and one-of-a-kind and of course the kids love it so I have a soft spot in my heart for it for that reason.